Water Efficiency Program

Water Use Efficiency Incentives

Working with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, our Water Use Efficiency Incentives can help lower your water usage and cost.

Rebate reservations are required prior to the purchase of qualifying equipment. Earn rebates for installing:

High-Efficiency, Ultra Low-Flush and Zero Water UrinalsUltra low-flush and zero water urinals provide effective, low maintenance flushing in public restrooms while reducing water consumption.

Connectionless Food SteamersWater-efficient, connectionless (pressureless) food steamers, which have no water or sewer discharge lines, have recently been developed to maintain or warm food in small- to medium-size restaurants.

Central Computer Irrigation ControllersThese sophisticated systems are designed for larger irrigated areas such as golf courses, parks, schools and large commercial complexes. Central computer irrigation controllers consist of a master controller (often a personal computer) which tells the valves in remote locations to open and close.

High-Efficiency Nozzles for Pop-Up Spray HeadsHigh-efficiency sprinkler nozzles can distribute water more effectively.

High-Efficiency Nozzles for Large Rotary HeadsBy replacing your standard plastic nozzles with high-efficiency metal nozzles, your large rotary sprinklers will become resistant to wear and distribute water more uniformly.

In-Stem Flow Regulators The in-stem regulator controls water flow in irrigation systems at the head. This is an ideal solution for parks, schools, office complexes, golf courses, nurseries and other commercial irrigation applications.

Laminar Flow RestrictorsLaminar flow devices avoid drawing air into the water stream, allowing them to produce a non-aerated clear stream of water while inhibiting bacterial growth and transmission. They reduce flow rates and can help lower water and energy costs.

Conductivity ControllersConductivity controllers can lower the cost of operating your cooling tower by providing greater control over your tower’s blow down and subsequent makeup water. And with an integrated pH conductivity controller, you can upgrade your cooling tower water treatment system by adding chemicals that control the system’s pH.

Dry Vacuum PumpsLiquid ring vacuum pumps use large quantities of water to create a liquid seal and enable suction. Dry vacuum pumps, on the other hand, use machined parts with extremely close tolerances to create suction. Both types of vacuum pumps are used in manufacturing facilities, including medical and dental manufacturing, among other uses.

Air-Cooled Ice MachinesAir-cooled ice machines use less water and energy than conventional ice machines, and make ice more quickly and efficiently.

How do I apply?To get your water rebates, call 1.877.728.2282 or visit SoCal WaterSmart. If you need help, send us an e-mail.

Waterwise Case Studies

Bourns, Inc.

Bourns, a global electronics company located on Iowa
Avenue in Riverside, recently used Waterwise Landscaping Rebates from RPU in the
company’s massive landscape overhaul. Bourns replaced over 3 acres of grass with a variety colorful waterwise plants, walking paths,
storm water capture systems, dry creek beds, and an employee recreation area.

The landscape makeover will allow Bourns to save nearly 5 million gallons of water per year.

WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program

The WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program provides incentives for Riverside Public
Utilities residential and commercial water customers who replace existing lawn areas
with water-efficient, California-friendly plants. Customers can receive up to $1.00
per square foot for living grass (lawn) that is replaced with WaterWise landscaping
suited to our region’s semi-arid climate.

Restrictions apply, so be sure to read the Program Guidelines and
Process Guidelines for more information. We also suggest you review the
Program Resources, Frequently Asked Questions and
Study Guide sections of this website to help you get started with your project.

Thank you for your interest in helping us conserve water!

Program Facts

$1.00 per square foot incentive for removal of living turf.

To qualify, customers must remove a minimum of 500 square feet.

This program is open to both RPU residential and commercial water customers. The maximum rebate for residential customers is limited to 3,000 square feet and 25,000 square feet for commercial customers.

At a minimum, 50% of the eligible project area (including permeable hardscape areas) must be landscaped with climate-appropriate plants (artificial turf does not meet program guidelines and is NOT qualified to receive a rebate).

You must check with your Homeowner’s Association, City and County for rules and regulations related to landscaping your specific property prior to starting your project.

This program is designed to produce water savings. If turf is dead, it does not garner water savings therefore; you will not be allowed to participate in the program.

Computer, Internet, and email access are required to participate. Applications must be submitted via email at RPUWaterWise@riversideca.gov. In your email you will include contact information, the property address, RPU account number, pre-existing condition photographs, and a simple landscape design plan. If you do not have computer access, please contact 951.826.5311 for assistance.

The completed Project area must remain in compliance with all Program conditions for a period of at least 5 years from the date of Project approval.

How to Get Started

If you intend to participate in the RPU turf removal program, please do not begin to kill or remove your existing turf grass prior to pre-approval by RPU. Written notice to proceed from RPU is required before turning off water or removing any turf grass.

This program is open to both RPU residential and commercial water customers. Property must be located within the RPU service territory and applicant must be a current RPU water customer, in good standing.

Please read all Program Guidelines, Process Guidelines and Terms and Conditions in their entirety.

Create a Landscape Design Plan, which illustrates the overall design of your project. The plan can be simple but needs to be to scale so that RPU can determine that you meet the plant coverage requirements. For addition information to assist you with your design plan, please visit the Design Requirements.

A Landscape Design Plan as well as a plant and/or permeable material list, including the total square feet of turf to be removed. The plan can be simple but needs to be to scale so that RPU can determine if your project meets the plant coverage requirements. The landscape design must show enough detail to illustrate the overall design of the project. Please review our Design Requirements.

Photographs of your Project Area. Please include at least three to five photographs representing the existing property conditions of your project area. The photographs you submit must be in color, must show points of reference representing the entire converted area including your home, street, or fencing, and cannot be online images such as Google street view.

Note: If you belong to an HOA, you will need to notify the HOA of your proposed changes to ensure your project meets any and all HOA landscape regulations that may apply. You will need HOA approval of your landscape plans before you submit your application to the program.

To receive a pre-inspection appointment you must have submitted the following:

A completed application

Project square footage

Landscape design plan

Site photos

The RPU Program Manager will notify you, by e-mail, if your plan is approved or if it needs modifications.
Once your landscape design plan is approved, an RPU inspector will contact you to schedule an in-person, pre-inspection
appointment to verify the current conditions of your property and confirm that your turf grass is alive.
After your site conditions are verified, RPU will notify you, by email, the approved square
footage of your project and issue you a notice to proceed.

Convert Your Lawn and Receive Your Incentive Payment!

After your site conditions are verified, RPU will notify you, by email, the approved square footage of your project and issue you a notice to proceed.

Once you have been issued a notice to proceed from RPU, you will have 90 calendar days to complete the Project.
Upon completion of your project you are required to notify RPU via email at
RPUWaterWise@riversideca.gov.
Completion notification MUST be made prior to the expiration of your 90 day deadline.
At this time, RPU will contact you to conduct a post-inspection to verify program compliance.

At your post-inspection appointment, please provide all necessary documentation for your landscape conversion project, including all paid-in-full invoices or receipts. Once you have submitted ALL required documentation, you have met the requirements of the program and the landscape was constructed according to the design we approved, RPU will e-mail you stating the approval of the project.

Payments will typically be made within approximately 60 calendar days of post-inspection and final project approval. Rebates will only be issued:

Once ALL required documentation has been submitted; and

Your project has met ALL the requirements of the program; and

The landscape was constructed according to approved design.

RPU will provide the incentive payment to you in the form of a check made payable to the RPU water account holder.

Maintain your new landscape

The converted landscape must be maintained for 5 years minimum as a grass or lawn-free zone.

Program Guidelines

Confirm that your project meets all of the Eligibility, Design and Landscape Requirements listed below.

The turf grass to be removed must be actively growing and irrigated at the time of pre-inspection. If you intend to participate in the RPU turf removal program, please do not begin to kill or remove your existing turf grass. Areas to be converted must have a living, maintained and irrigated turf grass lawn prior to pre-approval by RPU.

Any pre-existing projects of turf removal, which were initiated and/or completed prior to the approval of an application by RPU, will be disqualified and ruled ineligible for participation in this program.

All projects must be pre-inspected by RPU prior to turf removal.

Area converted must not contain turf or turf looking grasses. Please be advised that this includes artificial turf or turf-looking grass, such as Buffalo grass, St. Augustine, etc.

A Project Area for this Program is defined as the location where ornamental turf grass (lawn) will be replaced with a climate-appropriate landscape. “Climate-appropriate” landscaping is generally described as drought tolerant and/or Southern California native. RPU has the discretion to determine if the replacement landscaping falls within this definition.

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible costs include design, applicable permitting, materials and installation. No project shall be eligible for funding in excess of $1.00 per square foot, up to 3,000 square feet for a maximum rebate of $3,000.00 for residential customers and 25,000 square feet for a maximum rebate of $25,000.00 for commercial customers. Rebates cannot exceed 100% of the cost of the project.

Funding is NOT available from SoCalWaterSmart.com (Metropolitan Water District) for any project in this Program. Projects shall only receive funding from this Program.

Receipts are required. The rebate cannot exceed the cost of the project. Copies of itemized receipts and contracts are required to be submitted to RPU for the Project within 30 days of project completion. RPU will not consider taxes paid as part of project costs.

Area eligible for the rebate must be receiving potable water from an active RPU water service account.

Property must be located within the RPU service territory and applicant must be a current RPU water customer, in good standing.

Written notice to proceed from RPU is required before turning off water or removing any turf grass.

A landscape design must be submitted online for approval by RPU.

A professionally-drawn design is eligible to be included in project cost. However, a professionally-drawn design is NOT required. A hand-drawn design by your typical homeowner, using simple icons to represent landscape elements, such as circles for bushes, trees, and shrubs may be submitted. The landscape design must show enough detail to illustrate the overall design of the project.

The landscape design must include the following:

Street address of the landscape conversion.

Dimensions of your landscape conversion in relation to large, existing features such as the street, sidewalk, driveway, home, etc.

A list of the plant palette to be installed, including the plant size at maturity and their locations (bushes, shrubs, trees, etc.) that will cover at least 50% of the landscape conversion area.

Location and dimensions of new permeable hardscape areas to be installed such as pavers, brick, flagstone, etc. set on a bed of sand, in which no mortar or grout will be used.

Location and dimensions of new non-permeable hardscape areas to be installed in place of turf such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, etc. (These areas will be subtracted from the reimbursable portion of your landscape conversion.)

Projects must be pre-inspected and turf area to be removed shall be measured and verified by RPU. A written notice to proceed will be issued after the property has been pre-inspected.

All existing overhead irrigation must be converted to low-flow (drip) irrigation.

Projects must be post-inspected by RPU following completion of the conversion.

This program applies to front yards, side yards, backyards, and parkways (small strips of landscape located between sidewalk and curb) if maintained by owner.

At a minimum, 50% of the eligible Project Area (including permeable hardscape areas) must be landscaped with climate-appropriate plants (artificial turf does not meet program guidelines). This minimum coverage requirement can be satisfied using the eventual mature size of the plant materials other than trees. Each tree can count up to 78 square feet (five foot radius) for the purposes of calculating the 50% minimum coverage requirement.

The landscape conversion must include a minimum of three inches of mulch between and beneath the plants. Mulch is not required in areas of the project that incorporate decomposed granite, pavers, gravel or bark.

If you belong to an HOA, RPU recommends that participants get approval from their HOA to meet all of their landscape regulations that may apply. You will need HOA approval of your landscape plans before you submit your application to the program.

Areas replaced with non-porous concrete, although not prohibited, are not eligible for funding and shall not count toward eligible square footage under this Program.

Existing overhead irrigation systems within the Project area must be capped off or converted a low-volume drip irrigation system. Spray irrigation and plumbing is not permitted.

The completed Project area must remain in compliance with all Program conditions for a period of at least 5 years from the date of Project approval.

Project Checklist

Confirm that your project meets all items on the following checklist.

Determine a landscape and irrigation design

All sprinkler heads must be converted to drip, microspray or bubblers. Drip irrigation requires the use of filters and pressure regulators.

Each area retrofitted should encompass the entire area watered by a valve. Never mix different types of heads on the same valve. This creates uneven watering.

Submit your application online and get pre-approved with a site visit from RPU prior to starting your project.

Project Tips

Did you know that about half of the water used at the average home goes towards landscape irrigation, and that about half of the landscape water is wasted? Most sprinkler systems are inefficient and tend to waste a lot of water.

The most water-efficient irrigation system is you! That’s right; people who water by hand tend to use the least amount of water on their landscapes. The drawback with this method is that people are not always available when the plants need watering, so the latter become unhealthy and the former unhappy.

Fortunately, you can design your landscape to incorporate the most drought-tolerant plants, requiring no more than once per week watering, even during the summer (certain short-rooted plants in hot sunny parts of the landscape).

When the convenience of an in-ground irrigation system is needed, it’s important to know that different types of systems are more water-efficient than others. Below are the major types of water-efficient irrigation systems.

Drip irrigation is a precise, slow, direct system of applying water to the soil, which makes 100% of the water available to the plant. Where drip systems release so many gallons of water per hour, traditional spray heads release up to four or more gallons per minute. The environmental and water-saving benefits of drip include decreased run-off, evaporation, and overspray. Drip irrigation is often preferred where you have relatively few plants spread over a large area (for example, a few large bushes with a lot of open space between them) or where you have hard-to-water areas such as narrow planters. When installing drip, you must include a device to lower the water pressure and a special filter to keep the system from clogging up.

Bubblers are a form of precise watering that deliver water deep into the soil – hence, it is especially useful around plants that have deep roots, such as trees. Bubblers are also useful in certain planter boxes where traditional sprinklers will not work. Bubblers are durable, require little maintenance, require minimal filtration, minimize overspray and evaporation, and have an easily adjustable flow rate.

Stream rotors replace traditional pop-up spray heads – that is, you simply screw the old top (the nozzle) off the pop-up and screw the stream rotor back in its place. Compared to traditional spray heads, stream rotors are fairly water conserving and only release about 25 percent of the water per minute: reducing evaporation and reducing runoff. Stream rotors work well where you need to water a lot of plants that have fairly short root systems, like many groundcovers and bunchgrasses. The alternative irrigation system is to run an extensive drip system.

For more information on any of these irrigation methods, please visit the website of Riverside based Toro or other manufacturers such as Hunter and Rain Bird. You may also find help by visiting local stores such as:

Bonnett Irrigation

Ewing

John Deere Landscapes

Home Depot

Lowes

Choosing the right plants will be one of the toughest decisions you make. There are almost too many potential factors to consider. This is where spending time at nurseries, on the Internet, and observing what grows well in your neighborhood will really pay off.

When selecting plants for your garden, it is important to (1) understand the characteristics (such as the amount of sunlight) of the location to determine what plants are suited for that area and (2) understand the water needs of existing plants in that location – to make sure your additions can be placed on the same watering cycle.

Some important things to consider:

If you have clay soil, certain plants may never do well

Whether the garden is predominantly in sun or shade

How hardy do the plants have to be (do you have a green thumb, or should the plants be nearly indestructible)?

Are you looking to create a garden of a certain theme, such as a hummingbird or butterfly garden, or succulent garden, or capture a southwestern U.S. style or casual coastal?

Do the colors or plants need to complement your home’s design or exterior paint?

Color of foliage and color of blooms and time of year of the blooms

How tall and wide should plants be when mature (usually taller as you get close to tall structures such as the house, smaller as you get closer to smaller “structures” such as sidewalks and walkways)?

How much variety or uniformity of color, size and shape are you looking for?

Are the plants evergreen or deciduous?

Can you benefit from deciduous trees near south-facing walls, which help warm the house in the winter and keep it cool in the summer?

Do the plants attract critters you might not like, such as bees?

Are members of your family allergic to certain plants?

Can plants you’re considering be toxic to kids or pets?

Avoid invasive plants

Choosing the plants that are right for you can be one of the most difficult steps in this process. There are so many potential plants from which to choose, you will feel like a kid in a candy shop.

Hardscapes are structures within your landscape design such as terraces, patios, walls and paths. They are features constructed of hard materials including brick, stone, wood, and concrete. However, it is important to use permeable materials, or place impermeable materials (such as bricks and pavers) with enough space to allow water to infiltrate between them. Allowing water to percolate into the soil reduces or eliminates runoff and helps irrigate the soil.

Hardscape can create architectural interest by changing the shape or elevation of your garden, as is the case with short retaining walls and terraces, or direct the eye, as well as the foot, by forming permeable walkways that meander through your landscape.

Like any new landscape, California friendly plants require careful attention during their initial establishment period. What we want during the “establishment period” is for the root system to become expansive – in other words, we care less about how well the plant looks above ground, but more about how well it’s doing underground. Once its root system becomes well established (hence, “establishment period”), your new plants should thrive.

We recommend you follow a few simple Tree of Life Nursery guidelines to ensure proper establishment:

Be careful not to overwater your new plants. If the ground stays soggy for too long, plant-damaging disease can develop. Let the first few inches of soil dry out between waterings, but do not let the root ball dry out during the first 2-3 months of a plant’s establishment period.

When deciding about whether infrequent, deep soaking is preferable to short, frequent watering, consider the plant’s root system. Does your plant have relatively short roots such as with bunch grass? Or more expansive root systems as you would expect with most shrubs and trees?

You many need to water your new plants 1-3 times a week if you plant in the summer. Once established, you can water deeply once every two to three weeks in the summer, depending on the kind of plant and the size of its root system.

Rainwater alone is often enough to satisfy a California friendly plant in the winter. When possible, winter is the best time to plant native plants in order to get the benefit of that extra rainwater. During the spring, you may want to water on occasion to supplement infrequent periods of rain.

Avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day, as this encourages evaporation and is not necessarily efficient for the plant. Also, as a general rule it’s a good idea to avoid getting water on the leaves in the late evening.

To retain moisture, use composted mulch around the plant, but not up against the stem or trunk. This helps prevent evaporation, encourages the growth of beneficial organisms, and suppresses the growth of weeds.

Most California friendly plants will flourish without the use of artificial fertilizers. If you choose to use fertilizer, be sure to use an “all purpose” type of plant food during cool season plantings (October through May). Generally, you can cut the amount of fertilizer given for general ornamental plants in half when applying fertilizers to California friendly plants. Fertilizers often contain high levels of nitrogen, which can be environmentally harmful in high concentrations. This excess nitrogen is then carried through our storm drains and deposited directly in our coastal waters.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not to use fertilizer on your landscape.

You may need to thin and cut back certain types of plants in order to direct growth of the maturing plant. Pruning a plant often stresses the system but encourages new growth and flowering. It is not necessary to prune all plants. Some people like the appearance of a well-maintained, pruned garden, while others like a more natural look. Ask your local nursery if any of your plants require pruning and, if so, what time of year they should be pruned and by how much.

The more effort you put into maintaining your landscape in its early stages, the less you will have to maintain it in the long run. No more mowing, edging, or spending countless hours maintaining a water-thirsty grass lawn. Consider adding a couple of inches of organic mulch (preferably composted mulch) annually, and periodically weed your garden to avoid unwanted plants from getting established. It is also important to occasionally check your irrigation system to ensure that it is running efficiently without any leaks.

The Internet has an abundance of free information about drought-tolerant landscaping, from instructions on how to kill your lawn to guidelines for efficient irrigation methods. Begin your search with the Resource Tab on this website, where we have listed many of our favorite sites.

Three terrific sites are: Los Angeles Coast Water Wise Gardening, BeWaterWise.com Garden Spot and the Santa Clara Valley Landscape Conversion Photo Gallery. In addition to photos of beautiful landscapes, these sites have extensive on-line databases of drought tolerant plants, including photos and information about the plants, such as size, color of blooms, whether they attract wildlife such as butterflies, and more. The BeWaterWise.com Garden Spot also hosts free on-line “California Friendly Landscape and Gardening Classes”.

Another resource is very close to home. Remember the old saying “imitation is the highest form of flattery?” Flatter your neighbors. A sure-fire way to end up with a landscape you’ll love is to simply copy existing landscapes that you admire. Walk around your neighborhood. Identify what it is you like about a particular landscape, the plants, rocks, mulch, seating area, etc. If you’re feeling bold, knock on the front door of these homes and ask about their experience, who their designer and/or contractor was, etc. You’ll find most homeowners take pride in their landscape and love to talk about it.

Stores, nurseries and botanical gardens are other good sources of ideas. Non-plant material, such as pavers, can greatly enhance a landscape (and most are maintenance-free!). Take a trip to your local hardware stores where you’ll find non-plant material that is readily available or can be special ordered, and their associated prices. For plants, you can explore local nurseries to see what’s in season.

Finally, a landscape designer experienced in drought-tolerant landscape can be a terrific choice. Be sure to check out some of his or her completed projects before committing to work with them, to make sure their concept of “beautiful” is the same as yours.

It’s very important to get a rough yet realistic estimate of the cost of your project before you start spending money; we’ve all heard the horror stories about the kitchen remodel that stopped with the work only partially complete because homeowners grossly underestimated the cost of the projects and ran out of money. This does not have to happen to you and your new landscape if you take just a little time to plan it out.

Two of the most important factors related to cost are: (1) whether you plan on using expensive materials (exotic plants and stone, for example) and (2) whether you plan on doing most of the work yourself or hiring others to do it?

We have found that you can expect to pay anywhere from less than $5 per square foot to over $20, depending on your answers to these two questions.

If considering hiring others to do the work, it’s important to get the right person for the job. One of the best ways to do this is to find landscapes that you admire, and ask those homeowners who they worked with (designer and/or installer) and whether they would recommend that person. So if you find a professional you might be interested in hiring, ask that person for references.

Here are some things to consider when thinking about cost.

Our Turf Replacement Program requires a design but NOT one done by a professional. A simple pencil drawing will suffice.

If you want to hire a landscape designer to create the drawing it will cost about $300. Another option is to purchase residential landscape design software, available on the Internet for under $100. You might find the software takes a little getting use to, but you might also end up enjoying the process. There is an excellent free “How To” design course at BeWaterWise.com. This class leads you through the plan drawings step-by-step. We highly recommend you take this short on-line class prior to developing your plans.

The most labor-intensive part of the process may be removing your old lawn. Although killing the existing lawn may be time consuming, removing the dead grass can be a lot of work, as it usually requires removing the top two to four inches of soil. You may be able to hire someone to do this for you for about $500-$900 depending on the size of the lawn.

Hardscape can be a wonderful addition to most landscape: new walkways, patios for outside entertaining or dining, decorative planters that add interest to your landscape. Hardscape features can add the most pleasure to your garden by increasing your livable space and creating a peaceful place for you to relax. Another benefit to most hardscapes is they require little maintenance: no watering, mowing, fertilizing, etc.

There are two basic cost issues related to adding hardscape. First: the cost of material can range from a couple of dollars per square foot to more than five or six dollars depending on your choice of materials (such as inexpensive brick vs. flagstone).

The second cost issue is whether you will install the hardscape yourself (zero labor cost) or pay someone to do it (usually several dollars per square foot.). As always, when considering paying someone to do the work for you, check their references – that’s the best indicator of whether you will be happy with their work or not.

You’ll find a lot of information about hardscapes at your local hardware and specialty stores and on the Internet. This research will help you figure out whether it’s a project you can handle yourself or if you need to hire someone.

Probably the three most important cost factors related to the cost of plants are: Common vs. exotic: exotic plants will cost more, common plants less. While it’s fun to add a few uncommon plants, they can get pricey.

Less mature vs. full grown plants: fairly young plants of a particular species will cost you less than larger, more mature individuals that a nursery has had to “nurse” for several years. Other than trees, many plants can achieve close to full size in one to three years. Some experts believe it’s healthier for plants if they are purchased young and allowed to mature in the soil that will become their permanent home, as oppose to maturing in a pot.

As with other aspects of your landscape, doing it yourself is, well, free. Expect to pay about $3 to $7 per plant for installation.

Properly removing your existing grass lawn is one of the most important components of installing a California friendly garden. If the existing grass lawn is not completely killed, including the roots that might be deep underground, it will come back and ruin your new landscape. Premature planting of your new garden will mean years of follow-up weed removal, which you do NOT want to do. So make sure the lawn is dead, dead, dead!

There are a few different methods to kill your lawn, including herbicide application and solarization. Before you kill your lawn, you must Determine what kind of grass you have:

Cool season turf: Marathon, Fescue, Bluegrass, or grasses that stay green in the winter

Warm season turf: St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, or any rhizomatous grass that is brown in the winter

Cool Season Grasses. Here are a few options of how to kill cool season grasses.

Smother with mulch, no plastic

Strip and flip using a sod-cutting machine

Warm Season Grasses are harder to kill, especially in the winter when they are dormant, because you have to kill all the roots. Here are a few methods of removal: (Located in following accordion panels)

Cover your entire lawn with black plastic sheets and weigh down with bricks or rocks.

The lawn must stay covered for at least 6 weeks to ensure that it has been properly killed.

Mow the dead grass to a very short length and remove with a sod cutter or shovel.

According to the UC Guide to Healthy Lawns, the most effective way to kill your grass lawn is through the application of a nonselective herbicide, like glyphosate. Glyophosate is the main ingredient in “Roundup”, which is readily available at most garden supply stores. While herbicides are undeniably effective, they also pose threats to the environment if used improperly. It is up to the consumer to determine the costs and benefits of herbicide use. Here are some key points to consider if you plan on using this technique:

Do not disturb the sprayed area for at least 7 days, as it may take up to 7 days for the plant to fully absorb the herbicide.

Once the grass has died, mow the lawn at a very low setting—as close to the bare soil as possible—and collect the resulting material.

NOTE: In order to prevent unnecessary pollution and the destruction of non-targeted plant material, it is important that herbicide is not applied in windy conditions or 24 hours before a rain event. Visit Cornell University’s Pesticide Management Education Program for more information on glyphosate. Before applying any herbicide, be sure to read and understand the label. When it comes to herbicide, the label is the law.

The techniques listed above are not meant to be exhaustive. The Learn how to kill your lawn in greater detail with UC Guide to Healthy Lawns and the Tree of Life Nursery listed in the resources section of this website provide excellent guides on how to kill your lawn.

Before you plant your new garden, understand your soil. Healthy soil will help your plants get established and thrive. Soil texture and organic content should all be taken into consideration in preparation of your new landscape.

Drainage is one of the most important characteristics of your garden’s soil. Soil needs to be porous enough to allow air and water to travel in between pore spaces and, ultimately, to the roots of the plants. Sandy soils tend to have good drainage, while clay soils have poor drainage.

Moist clay soil, when pressed into a ball, will hold together well and not crumble when dropped. There is little or no presence of grit or large coarse particles and you can form a long ribbon when pressed between your thumb and index finger.

Clay soils are made up of tiny, microscopic mineral particles packed closely together that leave little pore space for air. These poorly aerated soils absorb water slowly, and irrigation water may puddle or runoff. These soils have poor drainage (downward movement of water). Once wet, clay soils hold a lot of water but in a manner that locks the water away from plants.

Moist sandy soil will form a cast but barely hold together, and will only form a short ribbon, if any, when pressed between the thumb and index finger; you can feel the coarse grit of the relatively large particles. Sandy soil is well aerated and drains well. Sandy soils absorb water quickly when irrigated. They hold little water and dry quickly. Because sandy soils are well drained, nutrients are lost from the soil more quickly than to clay, thus, requiring more frequent feeding and watering.

Moist loam soil will form a ball easily and will make a ribbon of approximately one inch or more. You may feel some grit from a small amount of sand particles that are present. A handful of loam forms a pliable ball that breaks apart with a gentle touch.

Loam soils are easy to work with. Loam soils are an ideal balance between large and small mineral particles, giving loam soil the title of ideal garden soil. In this type of soil, no single soil particle predominates, hence offering a combination of large and small pore spaces. Loam soil drains well, and doesn’t dry out very quickly. Nutrients will be lost at a moderate rate. Watering frequency will also be moderate compared to sand.

You can change the texture of the soil in your garden, but it will require work. A less costly alternative is to amend your soil. You need to work with what you have, and make what you have work for you.

The ideal soil amendment for most situations is composted organic matter; it adds nutrients to the soil and increases the soil’s water-holding capacity. It encourages healthy populations of beneficial soil microorganisms. However, composed organic matter, if purchased, costs more than non-composted material (such as wood chips).

Non-composted organic matter is also helpful, breaking up the soil and increasing its water-holding capacity. Soils and microorganisms need organic matter, and organic matter needs microbes for decomposition (composting).

In heavy clay soils, organic matter increases the porosity of the soil, making for better soil aeration. Inorganic amendments, such as gypsum and lime, also help loosen clay soil. In sandy soils, organic matter gets into the pore spaces to act like a sponge to hold water and nutrients. It’s a good idea to rototill the new garden area if this was not already done as part of the grass removal process. This helps work the amendments into the soil, by completely breaking up the soil about six inches deep.

Installing the plants is done after you have installed almost everything else, including the hardscape and irrigation system.

After deciding on a location for your plant, dig the planting hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the plant container. If you have heavy clay soil, you may want to increase the size of the hole. This step is very important if you have clay soil; the impenetrable clay may become like a clay pot, preventing the plant from extending its roots into the soil and trapping water in the “tub” where it will destroy the plant.

Fill the bottom of the hole with native soil that has been amended (composted material). Put in enough soil, and compact it, so the plant crown will be just above ground level.

Pre-irrigate the planting hole: fill it with water and allow it to drain into the soil, then add root stimulant (bought at any nursery or big-box store).

Remove the plant from the container, and avoid damaging the roots. If you find the plant had become root-bound (the roots circled around the inside of the container), gently uncurl the roots.

Fill in the rest of the hole with a mix of native soil, high-quality amendments (composted material), and a little starter-fertilizer. You want to use about 60% native soil, so this area becomes a transition zone from the potting soil the plant came in and the native soil around it.

For trees and sometimes shrubs, create a “watering basin” around the base of the plant. Form excess backfill into a circular berm, or mound of earth shaped into a ring around the tree, to direct water to the roots. Slowly fill the area with water and allow it to drain, and then repeat this.

Terms & Conditions

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

RPU will pay an incentive of $1.00 per square foot for the replanting of drought-tolerant plants in areas where living turf grass was removed.

Eligible costs include design, applicable permitting, materials and installation (tax is not eligible to be included in Project cost).

Receipts are required. The rebate cannot exceed the cost of the project. Copies of itemized receipts and contracts are required to be submitted to RPU for the Project within 30 days of project completion. ALL receipts must either show a zero balance due or be marked “Paid” to be considered. Submission of receipts with a balance due will not be calculated into the cost of the project. Project Proposals or Project Estimates are NOT receipts. RPU will not consider taxes paid as part of project costs.

No project shall be eligible for funding in excess of $1.00 per square foot, up to 3,000 square feet for a maximum rebate of $3,000.00 for residential customers and 25,000 square feet for a maximum rebate of $25,000.00 for commercial customers. Rebate cannot exceed 100% of the cost of the project.

There is a 500 square foot minimum limit to enroll in the Program. Maximum limits include 3,000 square feet for residential properties and 25,000 square feet for commercial properties. Customers may remove more than the maximum square footage of turf while completing their project but will do so with full knowledge that the maximum rebate cannot exceed the maximum square footage limit.

The replanted area must be a minimum of 50% of the area where turf grass was removed.

All projects must be inspected by RPU prior to turf removal.

Only one turf replacement incentive per Participant/address.

Project must be completed and all required documents must be received by Riverside Public Utilities (RPU), within 90-days of project approval. Upon RPU approval, extensions of time may be granted for project completion at the discretion of RPU. An extension request must be submitted to RPU Program Manager in writing prior to the extension being granted and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Once the Project is complete, the participant must follow the completion steps with the Participant’s Online Profile to notify the Program Manager at RPU and to schedule a final inspection.

Before the incentive is paid to the participant, all receipts related to the project must be submitted to the Program Manager. Photocopies of receipts are acceptable. ALL receipts must either show a zero balance due or be marked “Paid” to be considered. Submission of receipts with a balance due will not be calculated into the cost of the project. Project Proposals or Project Estimates are NOT receipts.

The completed project area must remain in compliance with all Program conditions, including ongoing maintenance for a period of at least 5 years from the date of project approval. If it is determined through inspection that the customer is not in compliance with the requirements of the Program, Riverside Public Utilities may recover the total amount of the incentive or rate reduction paid to the customer for non-compliance.

RPU does not endorse or recommend specific brands, products or dealers nor does it guarantee material or workmanship; acceptance of such is the customer's responsibility. The following is a list of two websites which may provide references to licensed landscape contractors. However, RPU is not representing that the following websites are the only sources of such information nor does RPU provide any representation or warranty regarding the information or references provided on the following websites:

California State Contractor’s License Board

California Association of Landscape Contractors

The Turf Replacement Program and the terms and conditions set forth herein, are subject to change without notice. Incentives are given on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to Program funding availability, budgetary constraints, and the limited duration of this Program.

Payments will typically be made within approximately 60 calendar days of post-inspection and final project approval. Rebates will only be issued:

Once we have all needed documentation and;

You have met the requirements of the program and;

The landscape was constructed according to the design we approved

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the purpose of the WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program is to claim water savings and reduce the current demand on our water system. As stated in the Program Guidelines, to qualify, you must currently have living irrigated grass in your yard. Your lawn must either be well maintained or brown. Bare patches of dirt will not be eligible. If your lawn has large patches of dirt, those areas will be deducted from the total project area. A portion of the pre-inspection is to verify that the property is irrigated and that there is a living, maintained lawn area you are planning to replace. Participants must not remove any natural turf grass prior to an on-site pre-inspection and approval from RPU.

Yes. We ask that a landscape fabric, that allows water to permeate into the ground, be used in your landscape conversion project. The idea behind this is long-term maintenance and weed prevention. Mulch does a good job of suppressing weeds. The weed barriers you choose to use must be permeable, allowing water to soak through. Plastic is not allowed and will cause your application to be ruled ineligible.

Mulch is a layer of organic (like shredded bark) or inorganic (rock) material applied to the surface of the soil to help maintain soil moisture, prevent weed growth, and maintain cool soil temperatures. Some mulching materials that qualify for the Program consist of shredded bark, gravel, rock, or decomposed granite.

Based on information from previously completed projects, an estimate of the cost of a landscape conversion project is anywhere from $2 to more than $5 per square foot depending on the size and detail of the WaterWise project. The intent of the WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program is to assist Riverside residents to replace a water-intensive plant, natural turf grass, with a water-efficient landscape, drought tolerant plants. This will help participants realize long term savings from significantly reduced maintenance and water costs.

Existing traditional, spray irrigation sprinklers must be converted or removed and replaced with a low-volume drip irrigation system. Spray irrigation and plumbing is not permitted.

No. This program was established to encourage alternatives to turf grass. Obviously, there are appropriate needs for turf grass such as a playing surface for children, or areas for dogs. For areas that are not involved in the landscape conversion project for which you would like to maintain turf grass for the above-mentioned uses, RPU encourages the use of such warm-season turf grasses.

Plant material must cover at least 50 % of the new landscaped area by the time the plants are mature, or after approximately two years.

No we do not allow artificial turf.

Participants are asked to replant at least 50% of the conversion area with California-friendly, drought tolerant plants. We take into account the mature growth of each plant, shrub and groundcover. Participants may plant any size plant during their conversion project and it won’t change the percentage of cover. The only exception is trees where you are allotted a maximum of 78 square feet (five foot radius) per tree for the purposes of calculating your percentage of plant cover. This is to prevent someone from planting all trees and nothing else. While the 50% plant requirement is difficult to quantify, we advise participants to install more plants so that what they are planning will meet all the program guidelines and receive final rebate approval.

No, the WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program is only for natural turf grass removal and conversion. Ivy, other groundcovers, or slope areas not covered with natural turf grass are not eligible for participation in Program.

The purpose of our program is to create landscapes that promote a water-efficient alternative to natural turf grass. The intent of the WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program is to replace a water-intensive plant, natural turf grass, with a water-efficient landscape, drought tolerant plants. We claim savings for the water saved between irrigating natural turf grass and irrigating the water-efficient plants. A yard of gravel does not meet program guidelines. In addition, the landscape conversion projects must follow local landscape ordinances and codes.

No. Water must be able to seep through (permeate) new landscapes to be eligible for a rebate. The total square feet of concrete or other non-permeable surfaces used will be deducted from your total rebate amount. Materials such as pavers, stepping stones, flagstones, etc. may be used as long as they are no grouted or mortared into place and are “sand-set”.

No, turf replacement incentives are limited to one application per site address/premise. If you receive a rebate for replacing your turf, you cannot apply for another rebate even if you replace additional turf at a later date. Please apply for the maximum area you plan to convert.

After receiving approval to start the work, you will have 90 days to complete your project.

If approved, payments will typically be made within 8-12 weeks of submitting your completed project.

No. We cannot recommend any landscape contractors or designers.

No. You need an individual water account to qualify for this program.

General Water Program Guidelines (Business)

All programs are subject to fund availability and may be cancelled, modified or reduced at any time.

Customers must fulfill program-specific guidelines, and all general program guidelines to be eligible for incentives.

Rebates must be submitted within 90 days of purchase to qualify.

Rebates amount for qualified product is limited up to the cost of the device. The actual device cost excludes tax, shipping, labor and other charges.

The level of incentive is based on size and/or efficiency of the qualified product. Rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the new product.

For rebates under $500, a credit will be applied to the bill. For
rebates over $500, a check will be mailed to customer address of
record. Customer account must be in good standing in order for a rebate
check to be processed in lieu of a bill credit. If customer account is
past due, only a credit for the rebate amount will be processed and
applied to the account.

A copy of the dated sales receipt must be provided,
and is subject to verification. The sales receipt must note all necessary information
on the qualifying product. Including,make and model number or type, vendor, date, and
price per qualifying unit.

Incentives are paid for installations on the
existing building envelope. New construction does not qualify.

Incentives
are paid for the purchase of NEW equipment only.

The level of incentive is
based on the size and/or efficiency of the qualified product. Riverside Public
Utilities reserves the right to determine product eligibility.

Incentive will be paid to
the water customer of record only. An exception may be made if the tenant or renter provides
proof of purchase.

Qualified products must be installed and in operation at the
customer’s service address.

Customer is responsible for complying with local
ordinances, restrictions, rules and regulations prior to installing any new equipment.

Riverside Public Utilities does not endorse or recommend specific brands,
products or dealers nor does it guarantee material or workmanship; acceptance of such
is the customer’s responsibility.

If it is determined through inspection that
the customer is not in compliance with the requirements of the program, Riverside Public
Utilities may recover the total amount of the incentive or rate reduction paid to the customer
for non-compliance.

For assistance with these programs, call our account management
team at 951.826.5485 or e-mail us.